Russia deploys jamming systems to disrupt Starlink-guided Ukrainian drone strikes

Russian forces are deploying powerful electronic warfare systems, specifically the $1.5 million Volna Kupol Garant, to jam Elon Musk's Starlink satellite network and disrupt Ukrainian drone strikes. Ukraine's mid-strike drones have heavily damaged Russian logistics, causing fuel shortages in occupied Crimea. In response, Russia is also camouflaging fuel shipments in civilian vehicles like milk trucks. Ukrainian forces, including the 422nd Unmanned Systems Regiment, are actively hunting and destroying these jammers to restore their drone capabilities.

Russian Starlink jamming systems

• ▪The Volna Kupol Garant jamming system emits a signal strong enough to destabilize Starlink connections across an area of approximately 20 square kilometers
• ▪Ukrainian forces have detected approximately 10 Volna Kupol Garant jamming systems deployed by Russian forces
• ▪The Volna Kupol Garant jamming system is produced by the Simferopol-based firm Russian Kupol and costs approximately $1.5 million per complex
• ▪Russian forces are deploying a jamming system called the Volna Kupol Garant to disrupt Starlink satellite connections used by Ukrainian drones

Ukrainian mid-strike drone operations

• ▪Ukraine's mid-strike drones can hit targets dozens of kilometers behind front lines accurately and cheaply, and are frequently operated via Starlink
• ▪Ukraine's mid-strike drone campaign has targeted Russian supply lines, fuel storage facilities, air-defense installations, and command centers

Fuel shipment camouflage tactics

• ▪Russian forces use small civilian cars, quad bikes, and motorcycles to transport fuel, ammunition, and provisions to the front lines
• ▪Russian forces disguise military fuel shipments in civilian vehicles, including water tankers and painted milk trucks, to evade Ukrainian drone strikes

Electronic warfare countermeasures

• ▪Ukraine's 422nd Unmanned Systems Regiment, in cooperation with the SBU security service, has targeted and destroyed two Russian Volna Kupol Garant jamming systems
• ▪Ukrainian firms are developing drone navigation systems that do not rely on GPS to allow aircraft to fly through Russian electronic interference

Military logistics disruption

• ▪Ukraine's mid-strike campaign has disrupted Russian logistics and caused fuel shortages in Russian-occupied Crimea
• ▪Elon Musk has cut Russian forces off from using Starlink to prevent Moscow from utilizing the network for its own drone strikes